In a dramatic turn of events at the WTA Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva advanced to the second round after her elder sister, 20-year-old Erika Andreeva, was forced to retire from their match due to injury. The match concluded with a score of 6-2, 1-0 (Ret.), taking just over half an hour to complete.
This year marks Mirra Andreeva's debut at the Stuttgart Open, and she arrives with significant momentum, having recently clinched back-to-back WTA-1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells. "I already thought about which cars I would like to get," Mirra said before the tournament, though she humorously reminded herself that she doesn’t yet possess a driver’s license.
As the sixth seed in the tournament, Mirra is set to face Ekaterina Alexandrova in the Round of 16 on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Prior to this match, Erika had led their head-to-head record, but the match quickly turned as she struggled with a heavily bandaged right knee.
Erika initially broke Mirra’s serve in the first game, showcasing her competitive spirit, but her level quickly diminished. At the first changeover, she requested a medical timeout, signaling her struggle with the injury. Despite her efforts, Erika could not sustain her performance, and Mirra capitalized on her sister’s misfortune, winning the first set decisively at 6-2.
In the second set, Erika managed to secure only one game before retiring from the match. Mirra dominated, winning nearly 94% of her points on first serve, compared to Erika's mere 33%. Furthermore, Mirra converted all three of her break points, while Erika converted just one of her three opportunities.
Erika Andreeva entered the Stuttgart Open as a lucky loser after another competitor, Marta Kostyuk, withdrew from the tournament. Despite her earlier victory over Mirra in Wuhan in 2024, where she won 6-3, 6-1, the injury proved too much to overcome in Stuttgart.
After the match, Mirra expressed her gratitude towards her sister, stating, "If she wouldn’t start playing tennis before me, I don’t think I would play that well this fast." She acknowledged that Erika had paved the way for her success, making it easier for her to transition to larger tournaments. "Because of her, it was easier for me to start playing bigger tournaments right away. If it wasn’t for her, I don’t think I would be playing this tournament this year," she added.
The moment the sisters shared at the net after the match was poignant, showcasing the deep emotional bond between them, despite the competitive nature of the sport. Mirra's victory, albeit bittersweet due to her sister's injury, sets her up for an exciting match against Alexandrova, who defeated Liudmila Samsonova 6-3, 6-3 earlier in the day.
As the Stuttgart Open progresses, Mirra Andreeva's journey continues to capture attention, especially with her recent successes and the added pressure of being a young talent in the spotlight. The tournament, part of the WTA 500 series, boasts a prize pool of EUR 925,661, and the competition is heating up as players vie for crucial ranking points and prestige.
Other notable results from the first round at the Porsche-Arena include Emma Navarro, the seventh seed, who convincingly defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-3, 6-0, and Jasmine Paolini, the fifth seed, who triumphed over Eva Lys with a score of 6-2, 6-1. Jule Niemeier, a wildcard entry, fought back to beat Laura Siegemund 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, while Diana Shnaider, the eighth seed, overcame Veronika Kudermetova in a hard-fought match, winning 5-7, 6-2, 6-3.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on Mirra Andreeva as she prepares to take on Alexandrova. With her confidence soaring and the support of her family, she aims to make a significant impact in her debut at one of the most prestigious events on the WTA tour.
